Buatta, Businelli to discuss the ins and outs of design

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - The National Organization of Italian American Women and the DaVinci Society of Wagner College will host a program titled "Residential Views: Designing From the Inside and Outside," Monday evening as part of Viva Italia, the college's month-long celebration of Italian Culture.

Renowned interior designer Mario Buatta and award-winning architect David Businelli will be featured presenters at the event, which will take place in the Manzulli Board Room in Foundation Hall on the Wagner campus, from 7 to 9 p.m.

Affectionately known as "The Prince of Chintz" for his championing of English Country style, Buatta is one of the nation's most recognized and respected interior designers. The former Staten Islander grew up in Stapleton and says he was guided in his childhood by his Italian-American upbringing.

"My mother was the keeper of our Italian culture, as was her mother, my grandmother and her sister, my Aunt Mary. All of these people were warm and welcoming," Buatta says.

In Monday evening's presentation, he will speak of his Italian heritage and outline the personal creative journey that led to his prominence in the world of design.

Buatta grew up in a small Tudor-style home on the Island's North Shore, where his grandparents, Aunt Mary's and his family all lived in modest homes on the same long block in West Brighton.

The designer often has credited his Aunt Mary – whom he refers to as his own Auntie Mame – with being a major influence in his life.

"I loved my Italian Aunt Mary's home, which was the polar opposite of our house," he says, explaining, "Our home was decorated in high modern, lushly carpeted, with lots of shades of tans and browns. As a youngster, I did not like the colors, look and feel of this decor and often asked (my mother) to change it."

Aunt Mary's home, on the other hand was "bathed in lovely bright patterned chintz and antique furnishings," Buatta says. "I was able to escape up the block to Aunt Mary's often. I loved to visit with her."

Noting his aunt kept up with trendy decor through magazines, he remembers her always redecorating her home.

"As a youngster, I became Aunt Mary's shopping companion," he says. "She took me to Manhattan, where she met with decorators and antique dealers."

Like her nephew, Mary favored English Country styles, and even though he was quite young at the time, he says, she sought out his opinion before making final decisions.

An interest in and proficiency in design is woven throughout Buatta's family history. His maternal grandfather was a builder and a wood craftsman; his grandmother's brother designed chandeliers, his maternal uncle was a furniture craftsman, who designed intricately patterned furniture, and his paternal uncle was an accomplished architect.

When his paternal uncle died, Buatta's grandfather gave him his architectural tools and, for a time, the young man thought he would become an architect. It was while he was enrolled at Cooper Union that he discovered he was more interested in what was going on inside buildings.

He left Cooper Union and enrolled in Parson's School of Design in Italy, where he embarked upon the journey that would bring him prominence in his field and respect among his peers.

DAVID BUSINELLI

David Businelli, president of Studio 16 Architecture in Dongan Hills, names his father, a licensed electrical engineer, and paternal grandfather, an accomplished terrazzo craftsman in both Italy and America, as influences on his professional journey.

Businelli, who lives in Eltingville with his wife Joan and daughter Noel, is proud of his rich Italian heritage. His mother's family was from Sicily, while his father's was from Friuli, Italy's northeastern-most province. He says an appreciation for Italian culture was instilled in him by both his grandmothers, especially through food.

"Both my mother and father continued the culture," he says, not only through food but "by speaking both dialects when we visited the grandparents' houses."

On Monday, in addition to presenting his award-winning contemporary architectural creations, Businelli will talk about Italian influences in architecture and how they have evolved.

"I am inspired by contemporary Italian architecture and the logical and simple way in which space and natural materials are used to frame the dwelling and maximize functionality," he says.

Passionate about his work, Businelli is eager to share that passion and serves as a mentor to young high school juniors and seniors interested in a career in architecture through the National Architects Construction and Engineering (ACE) program.

Guided by their team of mentors, ACE students work together on a project over 20 weeks and present their completed work as a team to ACE judges, competing for scholarships. Businelli points proudly to positive gender changes in his field.

"Architecture used to be a profession that was almost closed to women to pursue," he says. "This changed in my lifetime, and today the field is wide open to women with the interest and skills in pursuing architecture as their professional career."

NOIAW

The National Organization of Italian American Women is celebrating its 31st year as one of the nation's foremost Italian-American organizations. Founded by Geraldine Ferraro, Matilda Cuomo and Aileen Riotto Sirey, the organization embraces Italian language and promotes Italian heritage and culture while mentoring and advancing Italian-American women.

The Staten Island Network of NOIAW National was launched this March and already boasts well over 140 members, the largest membership ever achieved for any launch. The Staten Island Network is chaired by Dr. MaryRose Barranco Morris.

Monday's program is coordinated by Dr. Morris and Mrs. Carin Guarasci.

The DaVinci Society of Wagner College was established 11 years ago to promote greater understanding of Italy and Italian-American heritage and contributions to America's vibrant democratic culture.

Just the facts

What "Residential Views: Designing From the Inside and Outside," featuring interior designer Mario Buatta and architect David Businelli. When Oct. 24, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where Manzulli Board Room, Foundation Hall on the Wagner College campus. Registrationwww.noiaw@noiaw.org, or www.emccomis@wagner.edu. Or call 212-642-2003. Admission Free.